B/R Official Rankings for October: The Top 10 Bantamweights in MMA

B/R Official Rankings for October: The Top 10 Bantamweights in MMA

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The UFC appears to have worked itself into a schedule in which they focus in and promote a particular weight class for a couple months at a time. The bantamweight division is currently on hiatus with nothing major happening to the division over the last month.

With nine of the 10 fighters on this list fighting under the UFC promotion, only one of them has a fight officially announced (Scott Jorgensen vs. John Albert).

While the bantamweights aren't making any headlines, we can venture to guess that this is the calm before the storm and these 135-pounders will be rocking each other to start UFC's 2013 campaign.

Here are the 10 best bantamweights in the world.

Contributors

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These rankings are the combined efforts of some of Bleacher Report MMA's best writers as we continue to try and provide you with the best content on the web. For the latest MMA news and freshest MMA opinions, follow them on Twitter:

10. Bibiano Fernandes

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Promotion: One FC

Record: 12-3

Most Recent Fight: Won against Gustavo Falciroli at One FC 5

Next Fight: TBD

Previous Ranking: 10

Bibiano Fernandes scoffed at the notion he should be fighting for the UFC and joined One FC earlier this year. He made his debut within that organization at the end of August and earned a unanimous decision victory over Gustavo Falciroli.

While it's always good to get a win, Fernandes will need to rack up the wins against more formidable opponents to get himself closer to the top five.

9. Scott Jorgensen

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Promotion: UFC

Record: 13-6

Most Recent Fight: Lost against Eddie Wineland at UFC on FX 3

Next Fight: John Albert at UFC on Fox 5

Previous Ranking: 9

Scott Jorgensen has lost three of his last five fights and desperately needs to beat John Albert in December.

Jorgensen has long been somebody who is hard to predict how he's going to perform inside the Octagon. With his back against the wall, we should see everything Jorgensen has to offer against Albert.

If a third straight loss doesn't give Jorgensen his release from the UFC, it will put him dangerously close.

8. Mike Easton

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Promotion: UFC

Record: 13-1

Most Recent Fight: Won against Ivan Menjivar at UFC 148

Next Fight: TBD

Previous Ranking: 8

Mike Easton is currently riding an eight-fight win streak and is waiting to hear who his next opponent will be.

"The Hulk" is still on the right side of 30 years old and has the skill, durability and cardio to be competitive in any fight.

His explosive knockout power attracts fans, and Wineland could very well be two convincing wins away from a shot at the title.

5. Brian Bowles

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Promotion: UFC

Record: 10-2

Most Recent Fight: Lost against Urijah Faber at UFC 139

Next Fight: TBD

Previous Ranking: 5

Has anyone seen Brian Bowles lately? He hasn't fought since UFC 139 but is still a top contender in the bantamweight division.

The only two losses in Bowles' career have come against Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz. That's the main reason he sticks around the top five while taking off nearly an entire year.

4. Michael McDonald

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Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-1

Most Recent Fight: Won against Miguel Torres at UFC 145

Next Fight: TBD

Previous Ranking: 4

"Mayday" is one of the bright young stars within the UFC. He is currently 4-0 within the promotion and a superb 15-1 overall in his professional career.

McDonald really made his mark at UFC 145 with a first-round knockout win over Miguel Torres.

At only 21 years of age, you'll be hearing a lot more from this man.

3. Urijah Faber

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Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-6

Most Recent Fight: Lost against Renan Barao at UFC 149

Next Fight: TBD

Previous Ranking: 3

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Urijah Faber has quickly become one of the most inconsistent fighters in the UFC. His last last 11 fights have gone like this: win-loss-win-loss-win-loss-win-win-loss-win-loss.

Fortunately for Faber, he's still one of the best fighters within the promotion. Should McDonald, Bowles and Wineland win their first fights of 2013, we may see Faber start to topple in the rankings.

2. Renan Barao

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Promotion: UFC

Record: 29-1, 1 NC

Most Recent Fight: Won against Urijah Faber at UFC 149

Next Fight: TBD

Previous Ranking: 2

The Interim Champion didn't come out and destroy Urijah Faber in spectacular fashion as many thought he would, but it was still impressive enough to earn a unanimous decision and earn a piece of the bantamweight championship.

Barao now has a career record of 29-1 and hasn't lost a fight in over seven years. Hopefully, Dominick Cruz can recover soon from his injury so the two of them can unify the title.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Cruz is going to be ready anytime soon.

1. Dominick Cruz

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Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-1

Most Recent Fight: Won against Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Versus 6

Next Fight: TBD

Previous Ranking: 1

Dominick Cruz has a heck of an opponent in Renan Barao waiting for him once Cruz completely recovers from his knee injury.

The Champ remains at No. 1 on the list because his resume is every bit as impressive of Barao's and he will most likely remain at the top until somebody steps in and proves us wrong.